Electronic identification key actuated control system

ABSTRACT

An electrical control system includes a controlled device, a key for generating electrical signals representative of actuating and identification information, means for selecting identification information desired to be voided and means responsive to the generation of voided identification information to prevent operation of the controlled device. Sensing means are provided for sensing the actuating information and providing an output control signal for actuating the controlled device, and gating means gates voided identification information to the means responsive to the generation of the voided signals to prevent the sensing means from actuating the controlled device.

United States Patent 1 1111 3,732,542

Hedin [451 May 8, 1973 541 ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION KEY 3,500,326 3 1970 Biznford ..340/l64 x ACTUATED CONTROL SYSTEM 3,544,769 12 1970 Hedin .340 149 A 7 t b tA. n P H. 5] lnven or R er Hem San edro Cal Primary Examiner-Harold l. Pitts [73] Assignee: R. B. Phinizy, Anaheim, Calif. Attorney-Teagno & Toddy [22] Filed: May 6, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 35,061

An electrical control system includes a controlled device, a key for generating electrical signals [52] US. CI. ..340/149 A, 340/147 R representative of actuating and identification mformw tion, means for selecting identification information 1e 0 care 9A desired to be voided and means responsive to the generation of voided identification information to [56] References Cited prevent operation of the controlled device. Sensing UNITED STA ENT means are provided for sensing the actuating informa- 3 564 210 2 1971 P 3 4 tion and providing an output control signal for actuat- 3 601 805 841971 5:2 III 23x 32 ing the controlled device, and gating means gates 1293 /1971 gigj: 33 A voided identification information to the means respon- 364g,242 3/1972 Grosbardm 340/149 A sive to the generation of the voided signals to prevent 3,353,006 11/1967 Pollock ..340/149 A the sensing means from actuating the controlled 3,401,830 9/1968 Mathews ..340/l49 A device. 3,419,881 12/1968 Yamam0t0.... ..340/149A 7 3,184,714 5/1965 Brown ..340/l49 A 8 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures 50 .z/s'cmo/v/c SA-"A/S/A/G ELECTED/VIC SENS/N6 34 CONTQOL c/ecu/r COW/Q01. C/RCU/T AA/D AA/P ELECTQO/YZC LATCA/ ELECTQQfl/g 4476/4 22 A 5 (LV/ 5 22\//V i 5 i E 3/ kW 35 g \l T 11 E zit-24y 44 46 w u 2 ET T 13 I 1 E g l -11 u l l hi 5'; Q x l X i I I 1 "L 22 AIL/1E Am /o wsuaa PRI/VIIR 3 :5 E1755?" m PAY (ME m2: 9 5

PATENTED HAY 8191a sum 2 0F 7 PATENTED 81975 1732.542

SHEET 7 [1F 7 CONT/Q04 Fug/Z7 A (365) Mf/z )59 9999 04v 0,: 77/145 0: K5) V541? DAY //\/CO.

i i l l i i 1 i i 200 0900 0070 2 O O O 9 O O O 5 O 2 O 0 O9 5 O O O 5 O ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION KEY ACTUATED CONTROL SYSTEM This invention relates to an electronic identification key actuated control system and more particularly to a system capable of voiding out keys used for actuating the system and recording the user of the key and whether or not a proper key was employed in an attempt to actuate the system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There have been systems employed heretofore for monitoring and controlling the entrance and exits or the controlled accesses of a building, area, room, or the like. These systems for controlling the access consist of having guards to monitor and control the entrance so as to identify individuals by means of passes or the like. To eliminate the need for guards for monitoring and controlling entrances and exits, mechanical devices that recognize particular keys for allowing access to a controlled area were developed. In addition to the mechanical devices, magnetic cards and punched hole ID. cards have been developed so as to unlock the controlled access door or the like to allow the user to enter or exit the controlled area. These systems in general have proven to be very expensive, complex and unreliable. In addition under certain conditions these prior art systems have proved to be inconvenient and have a limited capacity. At the present time there is a need for an inexpensive key actuated electronic identification and control system for monitoring and controlling entrances, exits, etc. without resorting to cards and mechanical devices. In any such system, an individual must not only be provided with the means for gaining access to the area such as a key to unlock a door, for example, but also some means must be built into the system for identifying the key that is employed or attempted to be used relative to the key owner.

Generally, in order to void out or render a particular piece of control actuating information invalid it would be necessary to change the control information lock and issue new keys or record members that are operable with the new control information. It is sometimes necessary to provide new control actuating information for a record member or a key when one of the keys are lost or an individual is no longer classed within the group of individuals having access to a controlled area or the like. This may occur, for example, when an employee previously having had access to an area has been discharged. If a key is provided that not only includes control actuating information for gaining access to an area but also the identification information, the I.D., of the user of the key, the ID. information may be void or rendered invalid without affecting the remaining keys that are used in the system. It is also advantageous in such key actuated systems to produce some record and/or alarm when a key is employed for the purposes of entering into a controlled area. It would be advantageous in such a system to be able to record the key identification information at the time it is attempted to be used as well as the particular point of use. Thus when a key having improper control actuating information or unlocking information is employed, a record of such an improper attempt to gain access to an area can be recorded by recording the ID. information. In the same fashion when a proper entry is made through the use of a key having the correct control actuating information a similar record may be produced. The provision of a key actuated control system having the aforementioned characteristics will have a tremendous value in maintaining the security of a controlled access area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a relatively inexpensive, electronic identification key actuated control system for controlling the entrance and exit to and from a controlled access such as a door or the like. The improved electronic identification key actuated control system of the present invention not only controls the accessability of the entrance and exit automatically through the control actuating or unlocking information that is provided with each key but also produces a record of the individual gaining access or attempting to gain access through the controlled area. The control system of the present invention utilizes a key containing not only the desired control actuating information capable of unlocking the controlled access but also a unique identification number for the key relative to the user so that a record is automatically produced identifying the one attempting to use the key irrespective of whether or not the key is a valid one by recording the ID. number, the point of use of the key, as well as the time of use for the purposes of controlling the security of such a controlled area. For this purpose, the control system of the present invention advantageously employs an electronic key of the type disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,392,558 in the name of Robert A. Hedin and Alfiero F. Balzano granted on July 16, 1968. When a key of this type is employed for unlocking or gaining access to a controlled area, the unlocking or control information is recorded with the unique identification number identifying the individual to whom it was issued and this control and ID. information may be sensed along with the control actuating information and the accessability to the controlled area may be controlled not only by means of the correct or proper control actuating information butalso through means for rendering individual keys or groups of keys invalid by simply rendering the ID. information invalid. The system further includes means for printing out the unique identification number or Key I.D." along with the means for recording the time and date of use and point of use of the key. The point of use may have reference to a controlled area having a front door and a back door so that the system has the ability to identify the door that is being used and whether an entrance or an exit is being made from the selected door. The system of the present invention may also provide an alarm that is rendered operative when an improper key such as a key having improper control actuating information recorded thereon and/or ID. numbers that are considered as void or invalid. The alarm may comprise either a visual alarm or an audible alarm or both. The system of the present invention further has the ability to recognize when two or more keys are inserted at the same time at a multiplicity of controlled access and controlling the operation of the keys in an inexpensive and reliable fashion.

More specifically the present invention is directed to an electrical key system for controlling the access to an area wherein the electrical key is constructed on an insulative carrier and has preselected electrical circuit patterns of open and closed circuit paths that are representative of the control actuating information and also a similar electrical circuit pattern representative of the key identification information. The coaction between such an electrical key and a receptacle adapted for use with such a key produces groups of signals corresponding to the pattern of open and closed circuit patterns that may be identified in the binary system of notation, for example, for representing the control actuating or unlocking information as well as the key I.D. information. The system further includes the means for selecting key identification information to be voided so as to render the keys having matching identification numbers inoperative. Such means may consist of a simple patch board in which the selected ID. numbers may be selected on the basis of the common decimal system of notation. The voiding means for selected ID. numbers is arranged with means for comparing the key identification information signals generated and the selected key ID. numbers to be rendered invalid and providing the output control signal representative of a matching relationship for rendering the key inoperative for gaining access to or from the controlled area. This arrangement is employed in combination with a logical network for sensing the control actuating or unlocking information for determining whether or not the particular key is a proper key for the controlled area. In the event a bad key signal is generated as a result of the recognition of an improper actuating information or improper ID. number, the control device or lock is not actuated. In the event no improper or bad key" information is detected the control actuating information is allowed to operate the controlled device and access is gained to the controlled area by the key user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features of the present invention may be more fully appreciated when considered in the light of the following specification and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block-schematic diagram of an electronic identification control system embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a key of the type capable of use for the present invention and illustrating the relationship of the control actuating information with respect to a receptacle for such a key.

FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of the key of FIG. 2A but illustrates the relationship of the control identification information as recorded on such a key and its relationship to the receptacle.

FIG. 3 is a block-schematic diagram of a key actuated system of the type embodying the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic identification key actuated identification-printing control system of the type illustrated in FIG. I.

FIGS. 5a and 5b form a schematic-block diagram for the electronic identification system illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a decimal patch panel of the type employed in the system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the detailed organization of the relationship of the decoded identification information and its relationship with a patch panel of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the printer of the type employed in the system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an individual printing code wheel for the printer of FIG. 8 and illustrating its relationship to the ID. decoding network.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical record produced by the printing system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment for voiding I.D. information; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment for voiding I.D. information of the type of FIG. 1 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Now referring to FIG. I the basic concept of the electronic identification control system will be described. Although the electronic control system of the present invention is particularly adaptable for controlling a lock or electric latch by means of an electric key the system will be described in conjunction with FIG. 1 as it may be employed with means for generating the control actuating information along with the control identification information associated with the ac tuating information for operating a controlled device. For this purpose, the block 10 is identified as a means for generating the control actuating information and is associated with a block 12 further identified as the means for generating the control identification information. This information will be entered into the system either at the same time for sequentially in accordance with the specific means employed for implementing the elements 10 and 12. It will be recognized that the means 10 and 12 may comprise an electric key of the type disclosed in the aforementioned U. S. Pat. No. 3,392,558. It will also be recognized by those skilled in the art that the pattern of information signals provided by the elements 10 and 12 may be generated by other well known means such as by means of push buttons, magnetic cards or the like.

The system illustrated in FIG. ll further includes control identification voiding selection means 13 for selecting certain identification of I.D." numbers to be rendered invalid for operating the controlled device 14. The selected ID. numbers are compared by means of the ID. compare 15 which receives signals from the voiding selecting means 13 and the control identification generating means 12. An output signal is provided from the ID. compare 15 only when a matching relationship between the generated ID. number and the selected ID. number is sensed. When such a matching or bad key signal is provided, it is coupled to an inhibit gate 16 at the inhibit input terminal thereof. The output terminal of inhibit gate 16 is connected directly to the controlled device 14. It will be recognized that the means for selecting an I.D. number to be voided may be implemented by many well known arrangements such as patch panels, a series of switches or the like. The means for generating the control actuating information is associated with the control actuating information sensing element 17. Since the control actuating information may comprise signals of two different kinds, the sensing element 17 may comprise logical circuits for examining the information signals to determine whether the correct actuating information or improper information has been generated. Stated differently, the sensing unit 17 determines whether good or bad control information has been generated for operating the controlled device 14. When the generated control actuating information is in terms of binary coded signals the signals can be grouped into signals of different kinds, for example, all the binary bits representative of the binary ls will be grouped together and the binary Os will be grouped together. The binary ls may be considered as TRUE information, while the binary 0 may be considered as FALSE information. Accordingly, the element 17 comprises a conventional AND gate 17A "and a conventional OR gate 178 for examining the binary information signals of the two kinds. For example the TRUE information or the binary ls that are required for actuating the control device 14 are grouped as input signals to the AND gate 17A. In the same fashion, the FALSE information associated with the correct or proper control actuating information is grouped and characterized as the input signals to OR gate 17B. Accordingly, when the correct information has been generated at the unit 10, all of the input signals to the AND gate 17A will be in the TRUE state, while all of the signals at the input to the OR gate 178 will be in the FALSE state. Under these conditions, then, no output signal is provided from OR gate 178 while an output signal is generating from AND gate 17A indicative of the correct control actuating information. The output circuit from the AND gate 17A is coupled to the remaining input for the inhibit circuit 16. The output circuit for the OR gate 178 is coupled in common with the output circuit for the l.D. compare 15 to the inhibit input of gate 16. It should now be recognized that in the absence of an inhibit signal from either the OR gate 17B or the l.D. compare 15, that when the correct control actuating information has been sensed by the AND gate 17A, a TRUE signal will be applied to the controlled device 14 to operate it. In the event an inhibit signal appears at the inhibit gate 16 the controlled device 14 will not be operated as no output signal will be provided from the gate 16. It will also be recognized that the signal applied to the inhibit input of gate 16 may be coupled to an alarm for signalling that either invalid control actuated information has been generated or that invalid l.D. information has been generated.

With the above system organization in mind, the specific operation of the system may now be better appreciated. Assuming that the controlled device 14 is actuated only when the control actuated information is represented by the group of signals 0110, the system can then be examined in detail. It will first be assumed that no l.D. numbers are selected to be voided. Under these conditions, then, no inhibit signal is provided from the l.D. compare unit 15. For the correct actuating information Ol 10, the two binary ls are grouped as the two inputs to the AND gate 17A. In the same fashion the two binary Os are grouped as the two FALSE inputs to the OR gate 178. Under these conditions, the logical conditions of the AND gate 17A have been satisfied and therefore an output signal is produced from the AND gate 17A. The output signal from the AND gate 17A is transmitted through the inhibit gate 16 to operate the controlled device 14. At

this same time the input signals to the OR gate 178 are both FALSE and no output signal is produced therefrom. It will be recognized that the logical condition for producing an output signal from the OR gate 173 requires at least one true signal to appear at one of the input circuits for the OR gates 178.

If now the information generated by the control actuating information element 10 is 01 11, it will be recognized that thesame two binary ls that represented the correct information 0110 will be coupled to the AND gate 17A. The remaining two binary bits then 01 are coupled to the OR gate 178. When this information is sensed, a true signal will be provided from the AND gate 17A as well as from the OR gate 17B, since one of the signals at the input to the OR gate is a binary 1. Since both of these signals appear at the input to the inhibit gate 16, the output from the OR gate will inhibit the signal from the AND gate and no signal will be provided from the gate 16 or stated differently, a FALSE signal will be maintained so that the device 14 will not be operated. In the same fashion then any other improper group of control signals generated by the unit 10 will be inhibited and prevent the operation of the controlled device 14.

In the system of FIG. 1, it can now be assumed that along with a correct actuating information 01 ID that the l.D. information 01 is generated by the element 12. It will be further assumed that the voiding selection means 13 has selected the ID. information 01 to be voided. Since the signal from the units 12 and 13 are identical, this identification will be signalled by the l.D. compare unit 15 and the signal will appear at the inhibit input to the inhibit gate 16. At this same time it will be recognized that a TRUE signal will appear at the other input to the gate 16 since the correct control information Ol 10 has been generated by the element 10. This TRUE signal, however, will be inhibited and the FALSE signal will be maintained at the output of the inhibit gate 16 to prevent the operation of the controlled device 14. It should be appreciated that the void selection means 13 can be adapted to void out any l.D. number associated with the control actuating information to further restrict the accessability or the operation of the control device depending upon the requirements for the system.

The above description with regard to the control system was broadly described with respect to the means for generating the control actuating information and the controlidentitication information for the purposes of the concept involved in this invention. In a specific implementation of the present invention, the signal provided by the elements 10 and 12 may be provided by a key system of the type disclosed in the aforementioned Hedin et a]. US. Pat. No. 3,392,558. It will be recalled that the control actuating information for such a key is arranged in terms of a pattern of open and closed circuit paths arranged on an insulative carrier. When such a key is employed with the system of the present invention, then, a single key may be arranged with a group of open and closed circuit paths for representing the control actuating information and a group of open and closed circuit patterns for representing the control identification information. All of this information may be represented on one side of the key, which, as disclosed in the aforementioned patent, is a printed circuit card; or one type of information may be recorded on one side of the key while the other type is recorded on the opposite side of the key.

In FIG. 2, the control actuating information is diagrammatically represented on one side of the key 20 while the ID. information is represented in FIG. 28 on the opposite side of the key 20. Referring initially to FIG. 2A, the arrangement for generating the unlocking or control actuating information will be examined. It will be recalled that the key 20 is constructed of a substrate or insulative carrier 20A. On the one face of the carrier 20A there is deposited the preselected circuit pattern comprising the control actuating information. As illustrated in FIG. 2A the circuit pattern consists of a common circuit segment identified as 20C and extending from the right-hand edge of the carrier 20A inwardly to a common segment extending transverse thereto and arranged adjacent the opposite edge of the carrier 20A (the left-hand edge as illustrated) and terminating in a conductive segment arranged paralled to the segment 20C and identified as the segment 20L As illustrated in FIG. 2A there are three conductive segments arranged between and parallel with the segments 20C and 20I. These three segments are merely illustrative of a plurality of such paths that may be utilized for generating the control information. The segments reading from the top to the bottom as illustrated in FIG. 2A are further identified as the segments 20X, 20Y and 20Z. The segments 20X and 20Z are connected in circuit relationship with the segment 20C, while the segment 20Y has an open circuit or an electrical discontinuity with the common segment 20C. This control actuating information then, may represent the binary bits 101 for the segments 20X, 20Y and 20Z respectively. Alternatively, this same circuit pattern may be considered to represent the binary bits 010 depending upon the selection of an open or closed circuit path for representing the binary bit or 1.

As is more fully described in the aforementioned Hedin patent, such a key is employed with a receptacle for receiving the key 20 in a conductive circuit relationship therewith. The receptacle 22, illustrated in FIG. 2A, is illustrated with a plurality of insulatively spaced conductive segments arranged to receive the key 20. The conductive segments are identified in FIG. 2A as the paths 22C, 22X, 22Y, ZZZ and 22I, reading from the top to the bottom as illustrated. These segments are spaced apart in accordance with the spacing of the conductive segments on the insulative carrier 20A so that when the key is inserted into the receptacle 22, the conductive segments 20 and 22 overlie or are in electrical engagement with one another. To produce the output signals from such a key system a source of voltage is connected to the common segment 22C for the receptacle 22. Accordingly, the engagement of the key segment 20C with the common segment 22C applies voltage to the key 20 and all of the segments connected thereto, namely, the segments 20X, 202 and 201. If, then, the key is considered to represent the control actuating information 101 when it is inserted into the receptacle 22, the voltage pattern derived from receptacle 22 will be 1011. This pattern corresponds to the pattern of open and closed circuits for the segments 20X, 20Y, 202 and 201. The segment 201 is recorded on the key 20 to signal that the key has been correctly placed within the receptacle 22 and therefore the last binary 1 signal represents the key-in" condition.

Now examining FIG. 2B, the opposite side of the key 20 or the side recording the ID. information will be examined. The same general layout ofcircuit patterns will be found on the opposite side of the key with the common segment being identified as the segment 20CI and arranged thereon in the same general fashion as the common segment 20C. The information bearing seg ments comprise the remaining segments on this side of the key and are identified as the signals 20XI, 20YI and 20ZI reading from the top to the bottom. It will be noted that the segments 20XI and 20ZI include electrical discontinuities or open circuits while the segment 20YI is electrically connected to the common segment 20Cl. Accordingly, the I.D. information derived from the receptacle 22, when the same notation as for the control actuating information is utilized, will be 010. It will be recognized that the information generated in this fashion may be directly employed in the control system illustrated in FIG. 1.

Now referring to FIG. 3, the generalized system diagram for an electronic identification key actuated control system embodying the invention discussed hereinabove and adapted for producing a printed record of the attempts to obtain access to a controlled area. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the controlled area may consist of a room in a building, or a building having two accesses or two doors, such as those identified as doors A and B. One of the most common arrangements for a controlled area or building is the provision of a front door and a back door allowing access thereto. The system disclosed in FIG. 3, as distinguished from the previous embodiments, also includes the ability to control not only the access into an area but also controls the ability to enter and leave the area by means of the key actuated system and to record the entry or exit along with the point of entry as well as the chronological date with respect to the point of use. A further feature of the system of FIG. 3 is that in the event that two keys 20 are inserted into the door receptacles 22 at the same time, a multiplexing arrangement allows one key to be essentially voided out and the first key inserted to be operative, and the one key being operative after the first key is removed from its receptacle 22.

As mentioned hereinabove, the points of entry into a controlled area are identified as the two doors A and B.

On the opposite sides of the doors A and B there is a receptacle 22 for receiving a key 20 for controlling the traffic in both directions through the door. A key 20 is illustrated arranged in the receptacle 22 that is further defined as the in" receptacle for the door A. The output signals from the two receptacles 22 for the A" door are connected in parallel circuit relationship to the electronic sensing control circuit and an electrical latch A further identified as a block 30. The latch A is considered to hold the door A locked except when operated by the proper key. Certain of the electrical lead wires from both of the receptacles 22 for the door A are connected to the unit 30 by means of a cable 31. The additional lead wires from the receptacles 22 are arranged with a cable 32 and connected to a control unit 33. The control unit 33 will be described more fully hereinafter.

The door B is arranged in the same general fashion as door A and includes a pair of in and out receptacles 22 having their output lead wires connected in parallel circuit relationship to an individual electronic sensing control circuit and electrical latch B further identified as an element 34 for controlling the operability of the door B. The selected lead wires from the receptacles 22 are arranged within a cable 35 and connected to the electronic sensing control circuit and electrical latch 34. The remaining lead wires are arranged within a cable 36 and connected to the control unit 33 along with a cable 32 for the door A. The control unit 33 includes the control identification selection means 13 illustrated as a patch panel 13 for selecting the ID. numbers to be voided or rendered inoperative for operating either latch A or latch B. The selected voided signals are employed along with the signals derived from the cables 32 and 36 and arranged in a circuit arrangement as mentioned hereinabove. In addition, there is illustrated in FIG. 3 a printing unit 37 which is responsive to the signals derived from the system for printing out the ID. numbers of the keys inserted into any one of the receptacles 22 and any other desired relevant data such as the point of use of a key; i.e., door A or door B or whether an entry or an exit was made, and the time and date of use of the key. The date and time may also be digitally displayed on the front panel of the control unit 33 as diagrammatically represented by the elements 38 and 39. In addition an alarm arrangement may be provided for indicating when a bad key is attempted to be used and an audio and visual alarm is provided on the control panel 33. The audio alarm is represented by the element 40, while the visual alarm is represented by the element 41.

The system of arrangement of FIG. 3 includes an inexpensive relay multiplexing system which allows the printer unit 37 to record the ID. number of keys 20 that may be inserted in the doors A and B at the same time. It will be noted that the lead wire 42 arranged with the door A is connected to the input voltage line for the receptacle 22. The lead wire 42 is arranged in series circuit relationship with the normally closed contact 43 for the relay 44. The relay winding 45 for the relay 44 is connected in circuit relationship with the receptacles 22 for the door B. The relay winding 45 is connected to the key-in segments of the receptacles 22 for door B for signalling the placement of a key within a receptacle 22. Accordingly, upon the placement of a key 20 within a receptacle 22 for the door B, the key-in" lead wire 46 will have voltage applied thereto and the relay winding 45 will become energized and, in turn, cause its contact 43 to assume an open-circuit condition. Accordingly, with a key in door B the power will be removed from door A and therefore the system will operate as if door A does not exist. In the same fashion, the key-in" lead wire 47 for door A is connected to the key-in segments for the receptacles 22 at door A and to a relay coil 48 for the relay 49. The relay contact 50 for the relay 49 associated with the winding 48 is arranged in a normally closed circuit relationship with the key-in segments for the receptacles 22 at door B. Specifically, the relay contact 50 is connected with the lead wire 51 for supplying voltage to the receptacles 22 for the door B. The operation of this latter mentioned arrangement is identical to the one previously described so that when a key 20 is placed in either one of the receptacles 22 for door A before any key is inserted in the receptacles 22 for door B, the relay winding 48 will become energized so as to operate or open its contact 50 and thereby remove power from the receptacles 22 of door B. It will be recognized that when the key is removed from the receptacle 22 that the corresponding relay winding is deenergized and its associated contact returns to its normally closed condition and applies voltage, once again, to the controlled receptacles 22 rendering any key placed therein later in time operative in the system.

Before examining the detailed operation of the system of the type represented by the system diagram of FIG. 3, a more detailed block diagram of the system will be described as an aid in understanding the detailed system diagram to be described. The block diagram of FIG. 4 is of the general type of the block diagram of FIG. 1 for a system capable of producing all of the functions described in connection with the system of FIG. 3. It is assumed that the keys 20 are to be employed in the system so that the insertion of a key 20 into a receptacle 22 will provide the key I.D. information as well as the key actuating information to be processed by the system. The key I.D. information is identified by the block 55. While the key actuating information is identified by the block 56. The key ID. information is coupled to a unit identified as the key I.D. decoding logic 57. In addition, as implied in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, the key further signals the point of use of the key and such information is represented 'by the block 58 identified as the ID. of point of use of the key. It will be recalled that this information represents the point of use or the door at which the key is used and whether an entry or an exit is made in accordance with the system diagram of FIG. 3. The ID. information represented by the unit 58 is coupled to a point of use decoder 59 which decodes the information into a decimal system and is applied to the printing unit 37 for printing out the point of use information. The ID. voiding select means is represented by the block 13 and is coupled to the ID. compare unit 15 along with the information from the ID. decoding logic unit 57 for providing a matching signal on the lead wire 60 when voided ID. numbers are detected so as to inhibit the operation of the controlled device 14. The lead wire 60 is connected to the key actuating sensing unit 17. The sensing unit 17 has its output connected to the controlled device 14 for operating same in accordance with the sensed I.D. information, as previously described. The printer 37 is arranged with a printing control unit 61 that receives the key-in signal appearing on lead wire 62 as well as the decoded point of use or door l.D. information on lead wire 63 and the decoded I.D. information on lead wire 64.

Briefly, then, the operation of the system is such that with the selection of an ID. number to be voided and a key inserted into a receptacle, the key I.D. information, the key actuating information and the key-in information is generated. With these information signals, the decoding circuits become operative to convert the ID. information into the same coded notation as the code for the selected voided I.D.s to allow the compare unit 15 to be operative thereon. Ifa key having a voided ID. number is employed then a matching signal will be produced on the lead 60 to cause the inhibit signal to be provided from the sensing unit 17 to prevent the operation of the controlled device 14. At this same time, the 1D. number will be printed out at the printer 37, along with the identification of point of use of the key or the door at which the key is inserted. If no voided I.D. number is detected the key actuating information will be sensed and if the correct information is present, the controlled device 14 will be operated as described. It is important to note that at all times a key ID. number is introduced into the system that the key ID. number is printed out that is whether or not the key operates the controlled device 14.

Now referring to FIG. 5, the detailed block logic diagram for a system of the type exemplified by FIGS. 3 and 4 will now be examined in detail. The printing unit 37 employed in the system is a conventional commercially available printer. The printer is available from the Datatotal Company, 31 Park Road, New Shrewsbury, N]. This printer is a l2-column printer and is arranged with a commutating printing wheel having the digits to be printed arranged on the outer periphery of each wheel. The code wheels for the Datatotal printer are coaxially arranged for printing all the information on one line at the same time. The code wheels are independently controlled for selecting the character on the wheel to be printed in a particular column. The hammer is actuated after all the code wheels are rotated to the desired position at which time all the characters are recorded on paper. A typical record produced by such a printing unit 37 is illustrated in FIG. 10. It will be noted from examining FIG. that the printed out information may consist of the day of the year, identified by its numerical relationship based on 365 days in a year rather than identifying the month and day of the month. In the same fashion, the time of day is recorded on a 24 hour basis. The remaining columns record the printed out key I.D. information.

Briefly, then, the printingunit 37 will be considered prior to describing its organization into the system of FIG. 5 with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

The printing code wheels are identified in FIGS. 8 and 9 by the reference numeral 70. The code wheels 70 are provided with the conductive segments 70C on one face thereof illustrated as the face 70A and arranged in a spaced apart relationship and aligned with a character to be printed that is arranged on the outer periphery of the wheel 70. Accordingly, for each of the digits 0 9 arranged on the periphery of a code wheel 70, there is arranged on the face 70A a conductive segment 70C. The code wheels 70 are provided with a conductive arm 708 individual to each code wheel 70 that is electrically engageable with conductive segments 70C as the wheels 70 are rotated. The rotation of the code wheels 70 is maintained until the desired numeral to be printed out is positioned opposite the hammer 71. When one of the arms 70B engages a segment 70C adjacent the correct number to be printed out in a particular column on the paper 77, the decoded l.D. signal in decimal notation is coupled by means of the corresponding segment 70C, arm 70B to the print control to arrest the rotation of the individual code wheel. As illustrated in FIG. 8, this signal is coupled back to the inhibit input terminal of the inhibit gate 94 so that the pulses applied at its other terminal are not coupled to the associated solenoid stepper and the print wheel remains in position. When the inhibit signal is removed, the pulses coupled to the gate 94 appear at the output of the amplifier 95 to actuate the associate stepper motor 80 or 81 until the next character to be printed is located. When all of the print wheels are correctly positioned, the hammer mechanism 71 is actuated and allows the printing out of the information or the transfer of the characters from the code wheel 70 to the paper 72 in conventional fashion. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the hammer 71 appears as an elongated hammer extending opposite all of the code wheels 70 to strike each of the code wheels simultaneously. The hammer 71 is controlled by a solenoid 72 for moving it against the code wheels 70 upon energization of the solenoid 72 and allowing it to move back to its normal position in response to the de-energization of the solenoid 72.

If the ID. information that is coded on the key 20 is represented in a numeral system of notation other than a decimal system, then, for the purposes of this invention some means of decoding or converting the ID. information into the decimal system must be provided in order to most economically control the code wheels 70. For this purpose, the ID. information may be arranged in terms of the binary coded decimal system and therefore the decoder 57 will convert the binary coded decimal signals into decimal signals. In making such a conversion, then, the output of the decoder 57 will have 10 output terminals each representative of one of the decimal digits 0 through 9 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Each one of these decimal output indications is connected to the corresponding contact 70C for a code 70 as mentioned hereinabove.

Now referring to FIG. 5, the detailed block-logical diagram of the control system will be examined. It should be recognized that FIG. 5 basically covers the logic for controlling the printer and the voiding out of the selected ID. numbers. The logic with respect to sensing the control actuating information on the key 20 may be identical to that illustrated by the block 17 in FIG. 1. The idication of an improper key or bad key signal from such a logic circuit 17 is combined with a bad key I.D. signal into the system of FIG. 5, as will become apparent hereinafter. The system of FIG. 5 can be best considered in terms of the three broad sections as delineated therein, namely, a power oscillator section, a decoding section and a void section. In the arrangement of FIG. 5, a key 20 is illustrated in proper position in the receptacle 22 at door A without reference to an entry or an exit. With respect to door B no key is considered as being entered into a receptacle 22.

POWER/OSCILLATOR SECTION The power oscillator section includes an oscillator 90 that provides a pulse train for operating the stepper motors 80, 81 and a stepper motor 91 for the code wheel 92 utilized for printing out the door identification information. The oscillator 90 has its output connected as one of the signals for the two-input AND gate 93. The output of the AND gate 93 is connected directly to a triggering input to the inhibit gates 94 each arranged with an amplifier 95 connected to the individual stepper units and 81. The oscillator output is connected to the elements 94 by means of the lead wires 97 which are connected in parallel circuit relationship with one of the inputs for each of the gates 94. The lead wire 97 is also connected to an inhibiting gate 98 as one input thereof and the inhibiting circuit is connected to an amplifier 99 connected to control a stepper motor 91. The remaining signals or the inhibiting signals applied to the inhibit gates 94 and 98 are derived from the arms 70B for the printing code wheels 70 and the arm 928 for the printing code wheel 92. These signals are applied directly to the inhibit input for the respective inhibit gates. Specifically, the arm 70B for the code wheel 70 arranged in the upper portion of FIG. is connected by means of the lead wire 100 to the inhibit gate 94. The corresponding arm 703 for the other printer code wheel 70 is connected by means of the lead wire 101 to the corresponding gate 94. The arm 92B for code Wheel 92 is connected by means of lead wire 102 to the inhibit gate 98.

As mentioned hereinabove, the receptacle 22 is constructed for providing a key-in signal for signalling the presence of a key being correctly positioned in a receptacle 22. The key-in signals are provided on the lead wire 47 for door A and lead wire 46 for door B. The lead wires 46 and 47 are coupled as inputs to an OR circuit 103. The output of the OR circuit 103 is connected as an input to the AND gate 93 by means of the lead wire 103A and is also connected as one input for the AND gate 104 by means of the lead wire 1038. The AND gate 104 is a four-input AND gate and another input signal therefore is derived from the arm 92B of the printing code wheel 92 appearing on lead wire 102 and coupled to AND gate 104 by means of lead wire 102A. The remaining two inputs to the AND gate 104 are derived from the two code wheels 70 and are coupled thereto by the lead wires 100A and 101A. These signals then indicate the presence of a key in the receptacle and the fact that the two code wheels 70 and the code wheel 92 are in a position to have the characters printed out. Accordingly, the output of the AND gate 104 is connected to a delay circuit 105 which in turn is connected to a one-shot multivibrator circuit 106. The one-shot multivibrator circuit is of conventional construction and provides a pulse in response to the output signal from the AND gate 104. The output from the one-shot circuit 106 is applied through an amplifier 107 which in turn is coupled to the printing solenoid 72 for actuating the printing hammer 71. It should now be recognized that the signal from the amplifier 107 will energize the solenoid 72 and thereby cause the hammer to strike the printing code wheels 70 and 92 and print out the characters at which the code wheels have been arrested.

THE DECODE SECTION it will be recognized that the decode section illustrated in FIG. 5 is arranged with only two decimal decades merely to simplify the illustration of the invention. It will be recognized that any number of decimal decades can be utilized depending upon the requirements of the system. In FIG. 5, although only two decimal decades are illustrated for the purpose of decoding, there is indicated four such decades representative of the units, tens, hundreds, thousands decimal decades. It will be recalled that the LD. information on the key 20 may be arranged in accordance with any code. The [.D. information for use with the printing unit 37, however, is arranged in accordance with the binary coded decimal system basedon the 8-4-2-1 notation. Since the code wheels and 92 print out in the decimal system, the decoding network 57 is employed to convert the four binary coded decimal bits to the decimal coded signal. The binary coded decimal signals are derived from the receptacles 22 and coupled to the decoding unit 57. The decoding unit 57 per se may be of conventional construction.

The decoding unit 57 is illustrated as a pair of decoding units S7U and 57T for decoding the binary bits representative of the unit and tens decimal digits respectively. The circuits for the decoders S7U and 57T as well as the input circuit organization and the output circuit organization are identical and therefore only one of these units need be examined. The decoding unit S7U, then, will be described in detail. The four input signals representative of the binary coded decimal [.D. information from the receptacles 22 for the doors A and B are coupled to individual inputs for the respective OR circuits 110. Each OR circuit 110 is arranged to receive the binary bit of the same significance from the receptacles 22 at doors A and B. Accordingly, these inputs are simply identified as the A and B inputs for each of the OR circuits 110. It will be recognized that at any one time only one such bit will appear in response to the placement of a key 20 into a corresponding receptacle at doors A and B in accordance with the above-described multiplexing arrangement. The output signals from the OR circuits 110 are connected directly as inputs to the decoder S7U along with its inverted version which is inverted by means of the individual inversion circuits 111 coupled to receive the output from an individual OR circuit 110 and provide an input signal to the unit S7U. The input signals to the decoding signal S7U represent the true and false signals representative of the ID. information on the key 20. These signals can be stated in logical terms as the signal A and the signal A for each binary bit. The decoding unit S7U then converts the binary coded decimal signals into a decimal indication represented by an output signal on a single lead wire from the decoder S7U. It will be noted that the output signals from the decoder unit S7U are 10 in number and are identified as the decimal digits 0 9, reading from top to bottom. Essentially then if the binary bits applied to the decoder S7U represent the decimal digit 3, all of the output circuits from the unit S7U will be in a FALSE state or low voltage state with the exception of the one represented by decimal digit 3 which will be in a TRUE state, or high voltage state. The output signals from the decoding unit S7U are each coupled directly to the segments 70C of the print code wheel 70. In addition, these same decimal signals are connected directly to the decimal patch panel or the means for selecting the ID. numbers to be voided, generally represented by the reference numeral 13. The relationship of the decoded output signals with respect to the voiding selection means 13 will be discussed hereinafter.

The decoding network illustrated adjacent the power oscillator section is employed for providing the information relative to the point of use of a key. The point of use of a key for this purpose includes the identification of both an entry or an exit through a particular door. This information is printed out by means of the printing code wheel 92 for the printer 37 coacting with the decoding unit 112. The decoding unit 112 receives the signals representative of the door I.D. logic along with the signals identifying a bad key being tried at door A or door B. The door I.D. logic consists of the two input OR circuits 113 and 114 having individual inverters 1 15 arranged with their output circuits and providing the inverted version of the input signals to the OR circuits as the input of the decoder 112 along with the TRUE signal from the OR circuits 113 and 114. The two inputs to the OR circuit 113 may comprise the signal representing that a key has been inserted in one of the receptacles 22 for door A or door B. Accordingly, when one of these signals is TRUE, a TRUE output will be produced and coupled into the decoder 112. In the same fashion, the two inputs for the OR circuit 114 represent the A-out or B-out signals. These signals indicate that an exit is being made at either door A or door B. These latter signals are also applied as a TRUE signal from OR circuit 114 and the FALSE version thereof.

The bad key signal derived from the I.D. compare 15 and the bad key signal from the sensing unit 17 are connected together as an input to the amplifier 116 which is responsive thereto. The bad key signal is also provided with an inverter 117 to provide the inverted version thereof so that both the TRUE and FALSE bad key signal is coupled to the decoding network 112. The eight output terminals representative of the decimal digits 1 8 provide a unique output signal from the decoder 112. These output signals are connected to the respective contacts 92C for the printing code wheel 92. The decoding unit 112 in response to the signals applied thereto provides a unique signal at one of the eight outputs to signal the entry or exit from a particular door as well as whether or not a good or a bad key has been tried in door A or door B. For this purpose, the following logical table will relate a true output signal from each of the eight output circuits from the decoding unit 112 to the particular use ofa key:

Output 1 true means good key entering door A Output 2 true means good key exiting door A Output 3 true means good key entering door B Output 4 true means good key exiting door B Output 5 true means bad key tried in door A entrance Output 6 true means bad key tried in door A exit Output 7 true means bad key tried in door B entrance Output 8 true means bad key tried in door B exit THE VOID SECTION The key I.D. numbers to be voided are voided by means of the decimal patch panel which is of wellknown construction. The patch panel is shown in more detail in FIG. 6 wherein the four decimal decades representative of the units, tens, hundreds and thousands are illustrated. Each decade has a pluggable circuit connection for each of the decimal digits 0-9, as illustrated. Accordingly, for any number to be voided a patch cord need only be inserted into the pluggable circuit connection representative of the number. For example, if the I.D. number 3,000 is to be voided a patch cord need only be placed into the position 3 in the thousands column of the panel. To integrate this selected number with the logical circuitry for signalling the void number, a further group of pluggable connection are arranged adjacent the patch panel as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Four such pluggable circuit connections are illustrated for representing the units, tens, hundreds and thousands decades. Accordingly, to effeet the selection of the I.D. No. 3,000 the remaining end of the patch cord that has been connected to the three position under the hundreds column will be connected to the column identified as TH or thousands. These four pluggable elements identified as U-T-H-TH are connected with a logical network consisting of an inhibit circuit and an AND circuit 121. The pluggable connection identified as the thousands is connected directly as an input to the inhibit circuit 120. The remaining three pluggable connections are con nected directly as the three inputs to the AND gate 121. The output of the AND gate 121 is connected in common with the inhibit circuit 120 which in turn is connected to the OR circuit 122. The output of the OR circuit 122 is applied to an amplifier 123 which provides a signal indicative of a bad key or a voided I.D. number.

It may be necessary to select any number of I.D. numbers to be voided and for each such individual number a group of four pluggable connections must be provided on the patch panel along with the associated logic. For this purpose, then, additional inhibit circuits 120 and AND circuits 121 are connected in the identical fashion with the individual auxiliary pluggable connections wherein the output lead wires from these auxiliary circuits are all connected as individual inputs to the OR gate 122. These elements function independently of each other and for the purposes of voiding out individual I.D. numbers.

The combination of the inhibit circuit 120 and the AND gate 121 are of a unique circuit configuration even though they appear to be illustrated in FIG. 3 as conventional inhibit-AND circuits. The unique circuit configuration can be best appreciated by examining the details of these circuits as illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the inhibit circuit 120 essentially consists of a resistor 120I having one terminal connectable to a source of voltage (+E) but not normally connected thereto. The AND circuit 121 consists of a plurality of diodes corresponding to the number of input circuits defined for the AND circuit. As illustrated, three inputs areprovided to the AND circuit 121 and accordingly three diodes, identified as the diodes 121A, 1218 and 121C, are arranged for defining the three inputs to the AND gate 121. For this purpose the anode electrodes of the diodes 121A, 1218 and 121C are all connected in common while the cathode electrodes are connected as the input terminals to the AND gate 121. The common connection for the diodes 121A, 1213 and 121C is connected in common with the remaining terminal for the inhibit resistor 1201. The output lead wire which is illustrated in FIG. 5 as the output lead wire from the inhibit gate 120 is connected to the common junction between the resistor 1201 and the diodes of the AND gate 121 further illustrated as connected as one of the inputs to the OR circuit 122.

In the conventional logical circuit, power is applied thereto in a static condition so that the circuit will be operative in response to the signals applied thereto. In this particular arrangement in order for the logical network comprising the combination of the inhibit circuit 120 and the AND circuit 121 to be powered, the input terminal for the resistor 120I must be connected to a source of power. If this terminal is not connected to a source of power, neither the inhibit circuit 120 nor the AND circuit 121 will be operative. In the particular application illustrated in FIG. 7, in order to power the circuit a patch cord must be connected to the thousands (TH) terminal as illustrated and accordingly the network will only be activated when the opposite end of the patch cord is connected to a TRUE or positive voltage signal from the decoder 57. Under these conditions, then, it is always necessary in order to derive an output from the inhibit circuit 120 and AND gate 121 to have the patch cord or source of power applied to the inhibit resistor 1201.

Since the inhibit circuit 120 merely consists of the resistor 120I, if power is applied to this resistor and no input signals are delivered to the AND gate 121 an output signal will be delivered to the OR gate 122. In the particular application in which this circuit is used, for example, if it is desired to void out a group of numbers beginning with 3,000 through 3,999, it merely becomes necessary to use a single patch cord plugged between the 3 in the thousands column of the patch panel and the thousands plug connected to the resistor 1201. In this instance, then, the TRUE signal from the decoder 57 will appear at the output of the inhibit 120 when the ID. numbers falling within the range of 3,0003,999 to signal a bad key.

Another aspect of the logical network comprising the inhibit circuit 120 and the AND gate 121 is that irrespective of the number of inputs to the AND gate 121, if at least one of the input signals to the AND gate 121 is TRUE the circuit will be operative as the circuit configuration is such that the other inputs are considered to be floating or as if they were not in circuit relationship with the activated input. In a specific example, if it is desired to void out a group of numbers beginning with 3,100-3,l99, it is necessary to use two patch gzords, one from the decimal 3 in the thousands column to the thousands plug for powering the network and one from the decimal digit 1 in the hundreds column of the patch panel to the H plug leading into the AND gate 121 and in particular the diode 121A. Under these conditions, a bad key will be signalled at any time that a key having an ID. number falling within the range of 3,l3,l99 is attempted to be used. Even though the conditions for the normal AND circuit are not met at the inputs to the hundreds and tens, the

V diodes 1218 and 121C do not effect the circuit relationship of the resistor 120i and the diode 121A and a bad key signal will be generated.

It is also important to note that the AND circuit 121 will function as a TRUE AND circuit when all of its inputs receive a TRUE signal. If, for example, it is desired to void out the ID. number 1,234, then a patch cord will be connected between the 1 in the thousands column to the plug identified as TH, a patch cord from the digit 2 in the hundreds column to the H plug and a patch cord from the digit 3 in the tens column to the T plug and yet another patch cord from the 4 in the units column to the U plug. As mentioned hereinabove, the circuit will only be operative when it is powered and accordingly it becomes powered only for those digits having numerical value of l,000 and less than 2,000 but voids only the number 1,234. To void such a number with the aforementioned logical circuit then, it is required that each of the four inputs to be TRUE and only under these conditions will a bad key signal be delivered to the OR circuit 122.

In considering the operation of the unique logical network it should now be recognized that power must be applied to the one thousands plug or the free end of resistor 1201 for the circuit to be operative. Accordingly, if it is desired to void out a group of numbers beginning with 300 through 399, it is necessary when using the patch panel for 10,000 ID. numbers to use two patch cords for this arrangement in order that the circuit may operate properly. Under these conditions the circuit is plugged in as if the information was 0300 but using only two patch cords. The 0 digit from the thousands column is plugged into the TH plug, while the 3 digit in the hundreds column is plugged into an H plug. It is necessary to plug in the thousands plug in order that the circuit may be powered and the selection is actually affected by the hundreds patch cord. It must, of course, be recognized that if the key numbers are small and it is required to void out a hundred numbers such as between 300 and 399, the thousands column may be omitted from the patch cord and accordingly the floating end of the resistor 120I would be connected to the H plug and only two inputs would be provided for the AND gate 121.

With the above structure in mind the operation of the system illustrated in FIG. 5 will be described in detail. It will be assumed that a key 20 coded in accordance with FIG. 2 is inserted into the receptacle 22. Specifically, the key 20 will have the key control actuating or unlocking information recorded thereon in a preselected pattern of open and closed circuits and also control identification information recorded in the same fashion. For the purposes of the system embodied in FIG. 5, the ID. information will be considered as represented in binary coded decimal systems based on the 8-4-2-1 notation. With the insertion of the key 20 into the receptacle 22, the contact on the receptacle for sensing the insertion of the key will be activated from the voltage source and a TRUE signal will appear on line 47 at the input of the OR gate 103. The output of the OR gate 103 will also be TRUE and a TRUE signal will then appear at the input of the AND circuit 93. This key-in signal then gates the oscillator pulse train provided by oscillator 90 through the AND circuit 93 to the inhibit circuits 94 and their associated am plifiers 95 thereby coupling the train of pulses to the solenoid steppers 80 and 81 for the code wheels 70. This will cause the code wheels to be stepped or rotated an increment corresponding to the spacing of the characters to be printed on the wheel with each pulse that is received. As long as the steppers and 81 receive a signal from the oscillator the wheels 70 will be incremented. At this same time the oscillator output from the AND gate 93 is coupled to the inhibited circuit 98 and its associated amplifier 99 to the stepper 91 for the print code wheel 92. This code wheel 92 is stepped from position to position in the same fashion as the code wheel 70.

With this action occurring, the information derived from the key 20 indicating the control actuating information or unlocking information and the control identification information is applied and sensed by their respective networks. Considering, first, the application of the ID. information to the decoding unit 57, it will be noted that since the key 20 is inserted in the receptacle 22 for the door A that all of the A signals applied to the OR circuits 1 that correspond to a closed circuit condition will be in a TRUE state and the open circuits will be FALSE. This pattern of binary bits is applied to the respective decoding units 57U and 57T along with their inverse state as derived from the inverters 111 wherein they are decoded to provide a decimal output signal at one of their output terminals. These signals then are applied to the conductive segments 70C for the code wheels 70. As, for example, if the ID. number represented on the key is the decimal digit 30. The code wheel 70 associated with the units decoder 57U will provide an output signal when the code wheel 70 is rotated so that the contact 70C is adjacent to the numeral 0 on the periphery thereof whereby the arm 70B engages it and thereby transfers the output signal from the 0 terminal of the unit 57U to the lead wire 101 and to the inhibit input of the inhibit circuit 94 associated therewith. This, then, will inhibit the pulses from the oscillator 90 from being applied to the amplifier 95 and the stepper 81 whereby the rotation of the code wheel 70 for the units digit is arrested.

At this same time a TRUE output signal will be provided at the digit 3 output circuit from the decode unit 57T. In the same fashion, when the code wheel 70 associated with the tens decoder is rotated so that the contact 70C opposite the decimal digit 3 engages its arm 70B, the TRUE indication from the decoder 57T will be transferred to the inhibit circuit 94. This circuit is through the segment 70C, arm 70B and lead wire 100 to the inhibit input of the inhibit circuit 94 thereby preventing the pulses from the oscillator 90 from triggering the amplifier 95 and energizing the stepper 80 thereby arresing the rotation of the code wheel 70 for the tens decimal digit. It should be noted at this point that before any indication of the validity or invalidity of the ID. number is signalled that the code wheels are in position to print out the ID. numbers. Accordingly, with the present invention, the ID. numbers recorded on the key 20 will be printed out by the printer 37 at all times thereby recording the fact that the key having a certain ID. number has been employed for the purposes of gaining access to or exit from the controlled area.

Ifit is assumed that it is desired to render the [.D. No. 300 invalid this is accomplished by inserting a patch cord into the decimal patch panel at the decimal position 3 in the hundreds column and the opposite end is plugged into the connection identified as the H contact on the panel. At the same time a patch cord is connected between the 0 decimal digit in the units, tens and thousands in the column and the U, T and TH plugs for the patch panel. This will void out all keys having the ID. number 0300 only. Under these conditions, then, since the key 20 inserted into the receptacle 22 has the binary coded decimal information representing the decimal digit 300 recorded thereon, the application of these binary bits to the decoders 57U and 57T will provide a TRUE output signal at the 0 terminal of the decoder 57U and 57T and 57H and the three terminal at the decoder 57H. This will cause a FALSE signal to appear from the inhibit circuit 120 and applied to the OR circuit 122 providing the bad key output signal from the amplifier 123. This voided ID. number signal will appear as an input signal to the amplifier 116 arranged with the decoder 112. At this same time then even assuming that the control actuating information for unlocking the system is correct, the door will not be operated. At this time, also, the decoder 112 will operate on the signals appearing at its input circuits. At this time then a signal will appear on the A input for the OR circuit 113 and decoded by the unit 112. This will result in a TRUE signal appearing at output number 5 indicative that a bad key was tried in door A entrance. Accordingly, when the printing code wheel 92 is stepped to the decimal 5 position, the TRUE signal will be transferred by means of the segment 92C, the arm 92B and the lead wire 102 to the AND gate 104 and to the inhibit input for the gate 98 for inhibiting the coupling of the pulse train from the oscillator to the stepper 91 and thereby arresting the rotation of the print code wheel 92.

At this point, all of the code wheels for the printer 37 are in condition to be struck by the hammer 70. Examining the input logic for the solenoid 72 for the hammer 71 it will be seen that the logical input conditions for the AND gate 104 are now satisfied. In this respect the inhibit signal from the two code wheels 70 appearing on the lead wires 101 and 101A are both in the TRUE state, as well as the key-in signal on lead wire 1038 and the signal from the code wheel 92 appearing on lead wire 102A. Accordingly, the output signal from the AND circuit 104 is applied through the delay circuit 105 to trigger the one-shot multivibrator 106 and a pulse appears at the output of the amplifier 107 that is applied directly to operate the solenoid 72. This causes the hammer 71 to strike the code wheels and record the sensed information on the paper or record member 77. The paper 77 is then advanced to the next position (not shown) and prepared to to print out the next group of information.

In addition to the above-described arrangement for voiding out key ID. numbers, an arrangement for voiding out before the decoding operation can be utilized with the patch panel of the present invention. Two equivalent arrangements are illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. It will be assumed that the illustrated elements 10 provide the binary coded decimal information in the 8-4-4104 notation. In FIG. 11 each binary bit is connected to an individual switch as illustrated. The other terminals of the switches 130 are connected in common to provided the void" or bad key signal. If the system is assumed to have one thousand [.D. numbers and the group in the 800's 8!. 900's (800-999) is to be voided, switch 130 connected to the 8 bit will be closed. This covers the two hundred numbers since the 8 bit is used to represent 8 and 9 in the 8 -42l binary notation. In the same fashion, if all I.D. numbers from 400 to 799 are to be voided, switch 130 connected to the 4 bit need only be closed.

The same groupings can be voided out employing the binary 8-42-l patch panel 13' of FIG. 12. In this arrangement the binary bits from the element 10 are connected to the corresponding bits on the patch panel. The system is activated by a patch cord connected between the panel 13 and the four plugs identified as the plugs 8, 4,2 and l. A cord connected between the 1s, as illustrated, will produce a bad key signal for all the numbers between 100 and 199.

It should be noted that the recording of the time at which a key is employed may be recorded in a conventional fashion by the printer 37 and/or displayed at the control unit 33. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a timing motor 200 may be employed to pulse a one-shot multivibrator 201 to provide the pulses to step an individual code wheel as explained hereinabove.

It should now be recognized that the present invention has advanced the state of the art through the provision of an improved, inexpensive key actuated printing security system for controlling and recording key information and voiding selected key information for rendering it invalid in the system.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical key system for actuating a controlled device comprising a plurality of electrical keys constructed on an insulative carrier, each of said plurality of keys having a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key actuating information and preselected electrical circuit patterns representative of key identification information, said plurality of keys including at least one group with all of the keys in said group of keys having the same actuating information to actuate the controlled device, said identification information associated with each of said keys in said group being unique for each key so as to identify each key from other keys of said group having identical actuating information,

a receptacle having a plurality of insulatively spaced electrical circuit paths for receiving one of said electrical keys which has a corresponding electrical circuit pattern hereon so that the placement of the key into the receptacle positions the circuit patterns for the key and the receptacle in electrical contact with one another,

a source of power connectable to the receptacle to allow voltage to be applied to the connected closed circuit paths in accordance with the preselected pattern of circuit paths to provide electrical output indications at the receptacle representative of the key actuating information and the key identification information,

means for selecting key identification information to be voided so as to render at least one key of said group which has actuating information associated therewith which is normally operable to actuate said controlled device and which key is identified with the selected voided identification information inoperative to effect actuation of the controlled device,

means responsive to the generation of the voided selected key information upon placement of a key having voided identification information associated therewith into said receptacle and providing an output control signal for rendering the key associated with the voided selected key information inoperative to actuate the controlled device,

gating means responsive to said key identification information for gating the voided selected key identification information to said means responsive to the generation of the voided selected key information to prevent actuation of the controlled device by a key having the correct actuating information and voided identification information associated therewith, and

sensing means for sensing the key actuating information for a preselected actuating pattern of electrical signals and providing signals representative of a matching relationship to actuate the controlled device in response thereto or a mismatching relationship,

said sensing means actuating the controlled device only when the preselected actuating pattern is sensed and no voided selected key identification information is gated by said gating means.

2. An electrical key system as defined in claim 1 including recording means connected to be responsive to the electrical output indications representative of the key identification information for recording same as a Good or Bad key and the identification of same.

3. An electrical key system as defined in claim 2 wherein the recording means comprises a printer.

4. An electrical key system as defined in claim 3 wherein the key and receptacle include a circuit path for generating an electrical signal at the receptacle indicative of the correct positioning of the key in the receptacle.

5. An electrical key system as defined in claim 1 including alarm means connected to be responsive to the output control signal from the means responsive to the generation of the voided selected key information and/or the signal from the sensing means indicative of a mismatching relationship.

6. An electrical key system comprising a key controlled device, an electrical key constructed on an insulative carrier and having a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key actuating information and a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key identification information,

a receptacle mounted for the key controlled device and having a plurality of insulatively spaced electrical circuit paths for receiving an electrical key having a corresponding electrical circuit pattern thereon so that the placement of the key into the receptacle positions the circuit patterns for the key and the receptacle in electrical contact with one another,

a source of power connectable to the receptacle to allow voltage to be applied to the connected closed circuit paths in accordance with the preselected pattern of circuit paths to provide electrical output indications representative of the key actuating information and the key identification information when the key and receptacle and conductively coupled to one another,

means for selecting key identification information in a preselected code to be voided so as to render keys identified with the selected information inoperative,

means for converting the key identification information of a key placed in said receptacle to the same preselected code as the selected voided key identification information,

means responsive to the generation of voided selected key identification information which has been converted to the same preselected code as the selected voided key identification information and providing an output control signal representative of void relationship for rendering the key having the voided identification information inoperative to actuate the controlled device,

gating means for gating the voided selected key identification information associated with a key placed in said receptacle to the means responsive to the generation of voided signals to render the key controlled device inoperative,

means for sensing the key actuating information for a preselected actuating pattern of electrical signals and providing signals representative of a matching relationship or a mismatching relationship,

means for combining the matching and mismatching signals and providing an output actuating signal to allow the key to operate the key controlled device only when the preselected actuating pattern is sensed and no key identification output control signal representative of a void relationship is present, and

printing means connected to be responsive to the electrical signals representative of the key identification information of any key inserted into the receptacle in an attempt to operate the key controlled device.

7. An electrical key actuated controlled system for a controlled area having two doors normally closed and each having an electrical key receptacle mounted on opposite sides of each door for operating an associated door latch, said electrical key system comprising a plurality of electrical keys constructed on an insulative carrier, each of said plurality of keys having a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key actuating information and a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key identification information, said plurality of keys including at least one group with all of the keys in said group of keys having the same actuating information to actuate the controlled device, said identification information associated with each of said keys in said group being unique for each key so as to identify each key from other keys of said group having identical actuating information,

a receptacle having a plurality of insulatively spaced electrical circuit paths for receiving one of said electrical keys having a corresponding electrical circuit pattern thereon so that the placement of the key into the receptacle positions the circuit patterns for the key and the receptacle in electrical contact with one another,

a source of power connectable to the receptacle to allow voltage to be applied to the connected closed circuit paths in accordance with the preselected pattern of circuit paths to provide electrical output indications representative of the key actuating information and the key identification information,

means for selecting key identification information to be voided so as to render at least one key of said group which has actuating information associated therewith which is normally operable to actuate said controlled device and which key is identified with the selected voided identification information inoperative,

means responsive to the generation of voided selected key identification information upon placement of a key having voided identification information associated therewith in said receptacle and providing an output control signal representative ofa void relationship for rendering the key inoperative,

gating means for gating the electrical output indication representative of the voided selected key identification information to the means responsive to the generation of void key identification information to render the key associated with the electrical output indication representative of the voided identification information and which also includes correct actuating information inoperative to actuate the controlled device,

means for sensing the key actuating information for a preselected actuating pattern of electrical signals and providing signals representative of a matching relationship to actuate the controlled device in response thereto or a mismatching relationship,

means responsive to the signals representative of a matching relationship and providing an output actuating signal to allow the key to be operable for operating the door latch only when the preselected actuating pattern is sensed and a signal indicative of a matching relationship is present and no control signal representative of void identification information is present,

means connected to be responsive to the key identification information for recording the key identification information of each key positioned in a receptacle and the manner of use of the key at the selected door, and

means for controlling the sequence of information signals when more than one key is employed at the same time to allow the latter mentioned means to be responsive only to the first key employed.

8. An electrical security system for producing a system output signal for actuating a security device controlled jointly by actuating control information and identification control information, comprising:

means for generating coded electrical actuating signals representative of actuating control information,

means for generating coded electrical identification signals representative of identification control information,

means for selecting coded identification signals to be voided,

means responsive to predetermined coded actuating signals for establishing said system output signal, and preventing the establishment of said output signal when the coded actuating signal is other than said predetermined coded actuating signal, and

means responsive to the generation of said voided coded identification signals for establishing an identification output signal which cooperates with said means responsive to predetermined coded actuating signals to prevent the establishment of said system output signal upon the generation of said predetermined coded actuating signals, 

1. An electrical key system for actuating a controlled device comprising a plurality of electrical keys constructed on an insulative carrier, each of said plurality of keys having a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key actuating information and preselected electrical circuit patterns representative of key identification information, said plurality of keys including at least one group with all of the keys in said group of keys having the same actuating information to actuate the controlled device, said identification information associated with each of said keys in said group being unique for each key so as to identify each key from other keys of said group having identical actuating information, a receptacle having a plurality of insulatively spaced electrical circuit paths for receiving one of said electrical keys which has a corresponding electrical circuit pattern hereon so that the placement of the key into the receptacle positions the circuit patterns for the key and the receptacle in electrical contact with one another, a source of power connectable to the receptacle to allow voltage to be applied to the connected closed circuit paths in accordance with the preselected pattern of circuit paths to provide electrical output indications at the receptacle representative of the key actuating information and the key identification information, means for selecting key identification information to be voided so as to render at least one key of said group which has actuating information associated therewith which is normally operable to actuate said controlled device and which key is identified with the selected voided identification information inoperative to effect actuation of the controlled device, means responsive to the generation of the voided selected key information upon placement of a key having voided identification information associated therewith into said receptacle and providing an output control signal for rendering the key associated with the voided selected key information inoperative to actuate the controlled device, gating means responsive to said key identification information for gating the voided selected key identification information to said means responsive to the generation of the voided selected key information to prevent actuation of the controlled device by a key having the correct actuating information and voided identification information associated therewith, and sensing means for sensing the key actuating information for a preselected actuating pattern of electrical signals and providing signals representative of a matching relationship to actuate the controlled device in response thereto or a mismatching relationship, said sensing means actuating the controlled device only when the preselected actuating pattern is sensed and no voided selected key identification information is gated by said gating means.
 2. An electrical key system as defined in claim 1 including recording means connected to be responsive to the electrical output indications representative of the key identification information for recording same as a ''''Good'''' or ''''Bad'''' key and the identification of same.
 3. An electrical key system as defined in claim 2 wherein the recording means comprises a printer.
 4. An electrical key system as defined in claim 3 wherein the key and receptacle include a circuit path for generating an electrical signal at the receptacle indicative of the correct positioning of the key in the receptacle.
 5. An electrical key system as defined in claim 1 including alarm means connected to be Responsive to the output control signal from the means responsive to the generation of the voided selected key information and/or the signal from the sensing means indicative of a mismatching relationship.
 6. An electrical key system comprising a key controlled device, an electrical key constructed on an insulative carrier and having a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key actuating information and a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key identification information, a receptacle mounted for the key controlled device and having a plurality of insulatively spaced electrical circuit paths for receiving an electrical key having a corresponding electrical circuit pattern thereon so that the placement of the key into the receptacle positions the circuit patterns for the key and the receptacle in electrical contact with one another, a source of power connectable to the receptacle to allow voltage to be applied to the connected closed circuit paths in accordance with the preselected pattern of circuit paths to provide electrical output indications representative of the key actuating information and the key identification information when the key and receptacle and conductively coupled to one another, means for selecting key identification information in a preselected code to be voided so as to render keys identified with the selected information inoperative, means for converting the key identification information of a key placed in said receptacle to the same preselected code as the selected voided key identification information, means responsive to the generation of voided selected key identification information which has been converted to the same preselected code as the selected voided key identification information and providing an output control signal representative of void relationship for rendering the key having the voided identification information inoperative to actuate the controlled device, gating means for gating the voided selected key identification information associated with a key placed in said receptacle to the means responsive to the generation of voided signals to render the key controlled device inoperative, means for sensing the key actuating information for a preselected actuating pattern of electrical signals and providing signals representative of a matching relationship or a mismatching relationship, means for combining the matching and mismatching signals and providing an output actuating signal to allow the key to operate the key controlled device only when the preselected actuating pattern is sensed and no key identification output control signal representative of a void relationship is present, and printing means connected to be responsive to the electrical signals representative of the key identification information of any key inserted into the receptacle in an attempt to operate the key controlled device.
 7. An electrical key actuated controlled system for a controlled area having two doors normally closed and each having an electrical key receptacle mounted on opposite sides of each door for operating an associated door latch, said electrical key system comprising a plurality of electrical keys constructed on an insulative carrier, each of said plurality of keys having a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key actuating information and a preselected electrical circuit pattern of open and closed circuit paths representative of key identification information, said plurality of keys including at least one group with all of the keys in said group of keys having the same actuating information to actuate the controlled device, said identification information associated with each of said keys in said group being unique for each key so as to identify each key from other keys of said group having identical actuating information, a receptaclE having a plurality of insulatively spaced electrical circuit paths for receiving one of said electrical keys having a corresponding electrical circuit pattern thereon so that the placement of the key into the receptacle positions the circuit patterns for the key and the receptacle in electrical contact with one another, a source of power connectable to the receptacle to allow voltage to be applied to the connected closed circuit paths in accordance with the preselected pattern of circuit paths to provide electrical output indications representative of the key actuating information and the key identification information, means for selecting key identification information to be voided so as to render at least one key of said group which has actuating information associated therewith which is normally operable to actuate said controlled device and which key is identified with the selected voided identification information inoperative, means responsive to the generation of voided selected key identification information upon placement of a key having voided identification information associated therewith in said receptacle and providing an output control signal representative of a void relationship for rendering the key inoperative, gating means for gating the electrical output indication representative of the voided selected key identification information to the means responsive to the generation of void key identification information to render the key associated with the electrical output indication representative of the voided identification information and which also includes correct actuating information inoperative to actuate the controlled device, means for sensing the key actuating information for a preselected actuating pattern of electrical signals and providing signals representative of a matching relationship to actuate the controlled device in response thereto or a mismatching relationship, means responsive to the signals representative of a matching relationship and providing an output actuating signal to allow the key to be operable for operating the door latch only when the preselected actuating pattern is sensed and a signal indicative of a matching relationship is present and no control signal representative of void identification information is present, means connected to be responsive to the key identification information for recording the key identification information of each key positioned in a receptacle and the manner of use of the key at the selected door, and means for controlling the sequence of information signals when more than one key is employed at the same time to allow the latter mentioned means to be responsive only to the first key employed.
 8. An electrical security system for producing a system output signal for actuating a security device controlled jointly by actuating control information and identification control information, comprising: means for generating coded electrical actuating signals representative of actuating control information, means for generating coded electrical identification signals representative of identification control information, means for selecting coded identification signals to be voided, means responsive to predetermined coded actuating signals for establishing said system output signal, and preventing the establishment of said output signal when the coded actuating signal is other than said predetermined coded actuating signal, and means responsive to the generation of said voided coded identification signals for establishing an identification output signal which cooperates with said means responsive to predetermined coded actuating signals to prevent the establishment of said system output signal upon the generation of said predetermined coded actuating signals, said means for generating coded electrical actuating signals and said means for generating coded electrical identification signals comprising a key having said actuating controL information and said identification control information associated therewith, said means responsive to the generation of said voided coded identification signals establishing said identification output signal which prevents establishment of the system output signal when the particular key has associated therewith the information represented by said predetermined coded actuating signals together with said voided coded identification signals. 